Association du Réseau Européen des Registres Testamentaires

Finding a will in Bulgaria

Legal professionals, some questions/answers to assist you

When the existence of a will has been established, who has to be contacted to obtain information about its content ?

Information on the content of the will is sent by the notary responsible for settling the succession. This can be either the notary holding the will or a different notary, whose contact details can be provided by the notary holding the will. The latter can be located by making a search of the Bulgarian Register of Wills, in particular via the European Network of Registers of Wills (ENRW).

Who is entitled to receive the information ?

The information contained in the will, and if necessary a copy of the will itself, can be sent to public authorities, legal professionals responsible for settling the succession, wherever they are located, and, more generally, any person with a legitimate interest. This interest will be assessed on the basis of the relationship between the deceased and the person requesting information and of the reasons why the information is being requested. Is there a particular procedure to be followed ? If so, which one ?

For the information contained in the will, or a copy of the will itself, to be communicated, the will must have been opened in accordance with Bulgarian law.

By what means can the information be sent ?

The information contained in the will and/or a copy of the will are sent by post or electronically.